Southern Motorhome and Campervan Show 2026 - Part 1

This would be first test of the new Victron and lithium battery setup. Four nights off grid at the Newbury Showground.

The plan was to set off at around 1030am on Thursday and drive across to the South of London and then west to Newbury.

In the end we left at nearer 1050am. Not too bad.  The first stop at the garage on the way at West Malling.  It was a bit of a faff finding the LPG pump. There is only one and it's access was a bit difficult. Involving a bit of reversing out of the wrong place and queueing. 

Despite the gauge on the top of the bottle being close to empty we could only get £2.93 (at .99 a litre) in before the pump.m stopped and displayed "stop". Very odd. A quick check of the gauge showed it was full!!!

Anyway, we set off again. The M26 and M25 were very civilised and moving. We stopped at Cobham Services for Reggie's breather and got a coffee from Starbucks at the McDonald's ordering machines weren't working.

One again on the road. Everywhere we went there was moving traffic...... "What's happened!!!"

We eventually arrived at the Showground.  Checked in. I printed the booking form rather than trust my Google Wallet. We were given a card to show the marshals with "MCC" on. When I booked I could have chosen either the Motor Caravanners' Club or Motorhome Fun areas as we are members of both. I chose MCC.

We were both amazed at the hundreds of vans already on site. Camping opened at 8am.

When we got to the MCC check-in we were shown to the next available space. The showground is close to the M4 and it was get quite noise. Had we chosen MHF it wouldn't have made much difference.

The Show itself runs from Friday to Sunday 930am to 5pm, 4.30pm Sunday.

We had a walk over to see the entrances and then to the food area. There are lots of different outlets selling food from around the globe. 

Sadly, the phone signal is very poor and watching TV in the evening isn't that good.

Friday.

Up a little late. I was walking Reggie when the speakers announced the show was open.

During the day we visited the show a couple of times. After coffee at the MCC stand, we bought a flag. Many vansters have a flag. Often showing where they come from, country and/or county. There are many regimental flags and the Navy's White Ensign.

We bought a 5m pole and a Kent flag. It's where we live and where Claire was born. I was born in London. Do we even have a decent flag?

I said I would get a Lancashire Red Rose 🌹 flag next time. Half Londoner. Half Northerner!!

For lunch we had fish and chips at the food court. Not badly priced. A huge portion with light batter on the fish. I have no idea what fish it was, it was meaty and white. Neither of us could eat all the chips. Reggie usually likes a chip but he wouldn't eat any, although he ate the fish and batter.

In the afternoon we went back. We found That Leisure Shop. They are selling a portable WiFi router than can be fitted in a few different ways to the van. The problem with a panel van converted to habitation is that the body blocks phone signals. 

So we bought the Pathway router. Unfortunately, there's no included SIM card, like Smarty or Lebara. As a result we couldn't get it working without one.

I did a few Google searches to see what would be the best data only SIM card, and the cheapest! Most that have included roaming tend to restrict to 30gb when outside the UK. My brother has Lebara with 5gb for under £5 a month.

So we will have to wait until we get home.

Saturday 

Up even later today! Almost 10am.  I took Reggie for a walk around after breakfast. Today rain is forecast for most of the day. It's rained at times since we arrived and we did get caught on Thursday!

Once Reggie was breakfasted and asleep we went into the show again. Not really with any purchases in mind, but to look at more vans. 

One offer is a huge fifth wheel and Ford pickup combo for a show price if £83000. The trailer part had to massage seats! A massive lounge with home sized appliances. It is a European version with US styling. It would be great if you were full time vanlifers. 

Lunch? Samosas from the Indian cuisine stand in the food court. Again, home cooked and really nice.

We had intended to only get a coffee and a cake as we had food onboard the van!

We did that as well.... Two muffins from a bakery stand inside the show area. These were massive. Really tasty. 

Then we were back.  Oh. Nearly forgot. I bought another flag.... All will be revealed in another blog.